National Aquarium Abu Dhabi Rescues Barnacle-Covered Sea Turtle

In a critical state, a young sea turtle was rescued by the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, where it was discovered covered in barnacles and struggling to move. A veterinarian meticulously extracted the barnacles, uncovering the turtle's dark green-gray shell. The aquarium cautions against untrained removal of barnacles, as such attachments often occur when a turtle is already ill or weakened. Additional tests will be conducted to determine any underlying health issues. Collaborating with the Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi, the aquarium has successfully rescued, rehabilitated, and released more than 1,300 sea turtles, including one with a sliced shell, another with a large cyst, and numerous baby turtles.